Using a word like "evoke" in your writing is likely to call forth an enthusiastic response from your teachers. But let's make sure you've got it right. In which of the sentences below is "evoke" used correctly?

A. Bill saved up his money to evoke a new bicycle.

B. Diane's fantastic singing evoked wild applause from the audience.

C. Our principal was the first to evoke school uniforms.

D. When Tony mumbled, the teacher evoked him to speak up.

If you chose B that should evoke smiles. "Evoke" is from the Latin verb "evocare," which means "to call forth." The Latin word, in turn, comes from "vocare," meaning "to call." In addition to the "call forth" sense, "evoke" can mean "to recreate something with imagination." If "evoke" isn't quite the word you're looking for, try one of these synonyms, all of which start with "e": "elicit" (to draw out), "educe" (to draw forth or bring out), or "extract" (to get out by using force or pressure).